As I write this, I'm making my way home from Las Vegas.
My heart is full.
My mind is inspired.
And I'm more motivated than ever.
This weekend, I had the incredible honor of officially accepting the 2026 ASCP Esthetician of the Year award during the Be+Well event.
It was an unforgettable experience.
Not because of the trophy.
Not because of the stage.
Not because of the recognition.
But because of the people.
The Beauty Industry Is Bigger Than We Think
One of my favorite parts of this weekend wasn't standing in front of a room.
It was standing beside so many incredible beauty professionals.
Estheticians.
Educators.
Brand leaders.
Business owners.
Industry pioneers.
People who are passionate about serving others and raising the standard of our profession.
There is something special about being in a room where everyone understands the journey.
The sacrifices.
The long days.
The constant learning.
The excitement of helping someone feel confident in their own skin.
Those are the moments that remind me why I fell in love with this industry.
Relationships Will Always Be the Greatest Investment
This weekend reminded me that your greatest investment isn't always the newest device or the latest skincare ingredient.
Sometimes it's a conversation.
A handshake.
A lunch with someone you've admired for years.
A new connection that turns into a future opportunity.
I met incredible brands.
I had meaningful conversations with educators I respect.
I reconnected with friends I've made throughout this journey.
And I had the opportunity to pour into other beauty professionals who simply needed encouragement.
That may have been my favorite part of the entire weekend.
Because knowledge grows when it's shared.
The Award Changed My Title—Not My Purpose
People often ask if winning Esthetician of the Year changes anything.
The answer is yes.
But probably not in the way people think.
The title changes.
The responsibility grows.
The expectations become higher.
But my purpose?
It hasn't changed at all.
I'm still the girl from a small town in South Arkansas who believes education changes lives.
I'm still passionate about corrective skincare.
I'm still passionate about mentoring beauty professionals.
I'm still passionate about making sure clients feel seen, heard, and cared for.
Awards don't change your purpose.
They simply give you a bigger platform to live it.
And Now…
Now the real work begins.
This week, I officially prepare to open the doors to Ur Skin Therapist.
A dream that has been years in the making.
Soon, clients will walk through those doors.
Students will attend classes.
Mentorship calls will continue.
New partnerships will grow.
New services will launch.
New relationships will begin.
This isn't the finish line.
It's the starting line.
To Every Beauty Professional Reading This
If I could leave you with one piece of encouragement, it would be this:
Don't wait until someone recognizes your work before you believe in it.
Show up anyway.
Invest in yourself anyway.
Attend the conference anyway.
Network anyway.
Introduce yourself anyway.
Keep learning anyway.
Your consistency will take you places that talent alone never could.
The opportunities I've experienced this year didn't happen because of one big moment.
They happened because of hundreds of small moments of choosing not to quit.
July Feels Different
As I head home, I feel grateful.
Grateful for every lesson.
Every opportunity.
Every client.
Every student.
Every brand partnership.
Every conversation.
Every challenge that prepared me for this season.
July feels different.
Not because everything is perfect.
But because everything feels possible.
The award now sits on a shelf.
The applause has quieted.
The plane has landed.
And tomorrow…
I get back to work.
Because that's where legacy is built.
Not on the stage.
But in the everyday moments when you continue serving people with excellence.
Thank you for following this journey.
The next chapter begins this week.
And I can't wait to welcome you inside.